EUROPEAN REGISTER of TOXICOLOGISTS

FST has launched a register of experts in toxicology in the year 1995. The registered toxicologists are nominated by the FST registration committee according to special guidelines which define the degree of education and professional expertise in toxicology. The guidelines of FST toxicology register are harmonized with the EUROTOX guidelines of EUROPEAN REGISTER of TOXICOLOGISTS. Therefore registered toxicologists of FST belong automatically to the European register of toxicologists.

The professional title of a person in the register is "registered toxicologist." The term toxicologist differs from most other professional titles in that persons with varied basic educations are entitled to use it. In spite of the wide range of jobs available for toxicologists, common denominators for toxicologists must be sufficient theoretical knowledge and professional expertise. Moreover, the title "registered toxicologist" assures the contracting party/customer that the person engaged in the job is competent to work as a toxicologist. The standardization of the term "toxicologist" thus clarifies the job description both for those who need the services and for the public in general.

Contact person:
Tuula Heinonen
Email: tuula.heinonen@uta.fi, tel. +358 40 9030086

The outline of FST toxicology register is the following:

• Basic degree: M.Sc or equivalent qualification from a Finnish University or from its foreign equivalent.
• Additional education: As obligatory a wide range of University or equivalent studies in systematic toxicology, target organ toxicity and genotoxicity, toxicological methods, risk assessment, toxicology related laws and other regulations. Supplementary studies in various fields of toxicology (based on the applicant´s own interest).
  Note: professor in toxicology and senior lecturer (docent) in toxicology may be included in the register directly on application.
• Working experience: at least 5 years after the reguired academic degree
• Renewal of registration: 5 years
• Removal from the register: After 5 years if not re-registered. Registrants must follow the Ethical guidelines of FST. In an extreme case, the committee may remove the registrant from the register.
• Registration fees: Covers the expences accrued by running the register (75 € for FST members, 100 € for non-members). An examination set up for an applicant is charged separately.

• Composition of the registration committee: The board of FST invites 6 committee members for a 4-year period at a time of which one must be a board member of FST. Panel is responsible to the board of FST which appoints the chairperson of the committee.

•  register rules

Board of the FST toxicology register (years 2007-2010):

Doc. Tuula Heinonen (secretary); deputy member: Prof. Hannu Raunio

Doc. Hannu Komulainen; dep. memb. Prof. Jyrki Liesivuori

Prof. Aimo Oikari; dep. memb. Prof. Mikko Nikinmaa

Doc. Arja Rautio; dep. memb. Doc. Kirsi Husgafvel-Pursiainen

Prof. Kai Savolainen; dep. memb. Prof. Markku Pasanen

Prof. Kirsi Vähäkangas (chairman); dep. member. Prof. Hanna Tähti